Vladimir Putin has reportedly taken refuge in underground bunkers for extended periods due to concerns of a potential coup, as indicated by a report from a Western intelligence agency. Heightened security measures have been implemented around the Kremlin leader, who has forsaken his usual residences fearing drone attacks orchestrated by Russian political figures. The report, sourced from the independent Russian news outlet Important Stories and based on an unnamed intelligence agency, reveals Putin’s anxieties about leaks of sensitive information and the possibility of an assassination attempt using drones by Russian elites.
The Security Council Secretary, Sergei Shoigu, previously the Minister of Defence, is linked to coup fears and faced allegations when his former deputy, Ruslan Tsalikov, was arrested on suspicion of accumulating a significant fortune through corruption. The report cites information from an unspecified European Union intelligence service and highlights the Federal Protective Service’s intensified security measures around Putin, including thorough screenings for visitors to the Presidential Administration.
Putin, residing with his partner Alina Kabaeva and their children, has reportedly sought shelter in renovated bunkers in the Krasnodar region during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where he can operate for extended periods while official communication is maintained through pre-recorded media appearances. The region, vulnerable to Ukrainian drone attacks, houses Putin’s lavish Gelendzhik palace, described as a fortress resembling a setting from a spy movie.
The report also mentions Putin’s avoidance of military infrastructure visits this year compared to previous years and emphasizes the deployment of security measures, including FSO officers conducting checks with canine units and patrolling along the Moscow River to counter potential drone threats. Additionally, there are claims of stringent security protocols within Putin’s inner circle, with restrictions on mobile phone usage and surveillance systems installed in staff residences.
Following the assassination of Lt-Gen Fanil Sarvarov in Moscow, security has been heightened around senior generals, with tensions rising among Putin’s security officials over lapses in protecting high-ranking individuals. A meeting held post the incident saw Putin calling for a change in discussion format and urging proposals for addressing security concerns within a specified timeframe.